AMERICAN BASKETBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23418, 7 August 1939, Page 14

AMERICAN BASKETBALL

AUCKLAND TEAM DEFEATED WELLINGTON'S ONE POINT WIN There was a good attendance at the Town Hall on Saturday night to witness thrilling play in tho American basketball games between Auckland and Wellington and Auckland and Waikato. Although tho smooth floor slowed down piny, the spectators were treated to a fast and exciting exhibition. The main attraction provided keen Interest and excitement ran high as the scores alternated, and in the closing Btages as Auckland fought for the lead with the ball Bashing from end to end at times faster than the eye could follow. The success of Wellington by one penalty point was a good indication of the merits of the teams. Auckland led by eight points in the first quarter, but Wellington reduced the lead to two points in the second quarter, and took the lead in the third quarter, winning a closely-contested game by 30 points to 20. The match between Auckland B representatives and Waikato also provided an exciting contest, and although Auckland suffered defeat by three points, the general run of tho play could easily have been reflected in a reversal of the final scores. A ladies' match between Waikato and Auckland was keenly contested and the Waikato team deserved its win by three points, mainly by its ability to get the ball to Miss N. Hobbs, who scored 25 of the 33 points with excellent throwing. A match between the Y.M.C.A. and the Men's Association provided an exhibition of close play with small scores, and the spectators were shown fine defensive play. The success of the Men's Association by five points was a fair reflection of the play. A series of tumbling exhibitions under tho direction of Mr. J. Bonham, physical director of the Y.M.C.A., were very clever and merited sound applause. Following were the scores:— Wellington v. Auckland. —Wellington: Bodill. 11; Wilson, 8; Page, 5; Cameron, 4; Lawson, 2; total, 30. Auckland: Cotterell, 14; Simpson, 7; Molloy, ,4; Brookes, 4; total, 29. Waikato v. Auckland B.—Waikato: Tooman, 10; Piper, 4; Taylor, 4; Cross. 2; total, 20. Aucklnnd: Bontague, 7; Brown, 4; McLindon, 4; Molloy, 2; total, 17. Waikato Ladles v. Auckland Ladle*.—Waikato: Miss N. Hobbs, 25; Miss A. Taylor, (>; Miss B. Aitken, 2; total, 33. Auckland: Miss Mills, 14; Miss Tangye, 14; Miss Thornton, 2; total, 30. Men's Association v, Y.M.C.A, —Men's Association: Stewart, 6; Field, 2; Nettleford, 2; Leyland, 1; total, 11. Y.M.C.A.: Moore. 2; Milne, 2; Coatcs, 1; Walbran, 1; total, 6.